'One of the nicest places I've run', Omar Abdullah praises Sabarmati riverfront during Gujarat visit
CM Abdullah, who went for a morning jog along the popular promenade, is in the state to engage with tour operators and reconnect with a key domestic travel market following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that deeply impacted tourism in Kashmir.
He wrote on X: While in #Ahmedabad for a tourism event I took advantage of being here to get my morning run at the famed Sabarmati River Front promenade. It's one of the nicest places I've been able to run & it was a pleasure to get to share it with so many other walkers/runners. I even managed to run past the amazing Atal Foot Bridge."
The tweet set a lighter tone to a visit marked by a serious mission: rebuilding tourist confidence in Jammu and Kashmir following the April terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, including several from Gujarat.
The J&K CM, in the city for a major tourism outreach event, said the visit is part of efforts to restore Jammu and Kashmir's standing as a safe and welcoming destination. "Gujarat, along with Maharashtra and West Bengal, has always played a major role in Kashmir's tourism economy," said CM Abdullah, expressing hope that Gujarati tourists would soon return in large numbers. However, the visit also carried a strong political undertone.
Addressing the media on July 30, Abdullah sharply criticised the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration over intelligence and security lapses linked to the Pahalgam attack. 'Even the Lieutenant Governor has admitted there was a failure. If that's the case, someone must be held accountable,' he said.
While the three terrorists responsible have been eliminated, CM Abdullah pointed out that no action has yet been taken against the officials responsible for the lapses.
He also questioned the Centre's claims post-Article 370 abrogation. 'They said terrorism would end after 370 was removed. It's been five years. Terrorists are still being killed. So what happened to those promises?' he asked.
Earlier on Wednesday, he met Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in his office in Gandhinagar. The meeting focused on deepening inter-state relations, promoting tourism and sharing best practices for inclusive development.
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Hindustan Times
26 minutes ago
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Utilise Chenab river water, shelve SYL canal issue: Punjab CM to Centre
Chandigarh, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday urged the Centre to utilise the waters of the Chenab River to resolve the water-sharing dispute between his state and Haryana and sought the scrapping of the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal project. Utilise Chenab river water, shelve SYL canal issue: Punjab CM to Centre Mann participated in a meeting called by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in Delhi over the SYL canal issue, in which Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was also present. The Punjab chief minister said in the last meeting held on July 9, the Union government informed that the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan has been suspended and it opens up an opportunity for India to utilise water from the Chenab River, one of the western rivers earlier given to Pakistan under the treaty. An official statement quoting Mann said the Centre should now divert Chenab's waters to Indian dams like Ranjit Sagar, Pong, or Bhakra, adding that to carry this extra water, new canals and infrastructure would be required, which would be built in Punjab. Mann said these canals and infrastructure can be first used to meet the needs of the state, and after Punjab's requirements are met, the water can be supplied to Haryana and Rajasthan through the same canal system. He said using Chenab water will reduce Punjab's dependence on groundwater, revive surface irrigation and support the farming community, which is the backbone of the state's economy, besides saving groundwater of the state for future generations. Punjab, which is currently facing groundwater depletion, must be prioritised in any future strategies for the usage, diversion, or allocation of these river waters, he said. Mann also said the waters of the western rivers should be allocated to Punjab on a priority basis, adding that new storage dams upstream of existing Bhakra and Pong in Himachal Pradesh should be constructed, which will significantly enhance the storage and regulation of western river waters. Seeking the shelving of the SYL project, Mann unequivocally said that the Sharda-Yamuna Link for transfer of surplus Sharda River water to the Yamuna River and diversion of Chenab water to Beas River through the Rohtang tunnel should be done to eliminate the need for the SYL canal. He said the long-conceived project of Sharda-Yamuna Link should be taken up on priority and surplus water be transferred to the Yamuna River at a suitable location. Mann said the additional water available could offset the balance water requirement of Haryana from the Ravi-Beas system, apart from addressing the ever-growing drinking water requirement of Delhi and the availability of the Yamuna water to Rajasthan. Batting for the Yamuna-Sutlej Link canal, he said that the memorandum of understanding of May 12, 1994, of allocation of Yamuna waters between Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan is to be reviewed after 2025. Therefore, Punjab should be included as a partner state in the allocation of Yamuna waters, and 60 per cent of the surplus water of the Yamuna River should be considered for the state, he said. Haryana has enough scope to get additional water from other sources, which also needs to be accounted for, said Mann. He said that Haryana is also receiving 2.703 million acre-feet of water from the Ghaggar River, Tangri Nadi, Markanda River, Saraswati Nadi, Chautang-Rakshi, Nai Nalah, Sahibi Nadi, Krishna Dhuan, and Landoha Nalah, which has not been accounted for so far when deciding the water allocations between the states. Mann reiterated that the SYL canal is an "emotive issue" for Punjab and its construction could trigger "serious" law and order challenges in the state and escalate into a national crisis, with neighbouring Haryana and Rajasthan also feeling the impact. The total water requirement of Punjab is 52 MAF, and water available with the state of Punjab is only 26.75 MAF , said Mann. Talking to reporters in the national capital after the meeting, Saini said a significant step forward was made on the ongoing dialogue over water-sharing between Haryana and Punjab. The talks were held in a cordial and cooperative atmosphere. The issue has been under discussion for a long time, and earlier deliberations held on July 9 had already indicated a positive shift, he said. This time, we have moved a step further. The discussions were held in an even more constructive environment, Saini added. Saini asserted that Haryana will present its case in a "positive and solution-oriented" manner before the Supreme Court on August 13 and expressed confidence that a fair and favourable resolution will be achieved. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
36 minutes ago
- News18
Utilise Chenab river water, shelve SYL canal issue: Punjab CM to Centre
Last Updated: Chandigarh, Aug 5 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday urged the Centre to utilise the waters of the Chenab River to resolve the water-sharing dispute between his state and Haryana and sought the scrapping of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project. Mann participated in a meeting called by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in Delhi over the SYL canal issue, in which Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was also present. The Punjab chief minister said in the last meeting held on July 9, the Union government informed that the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan has been suspended and it opens up an opportunity for India to utilise water from the Chenab River, one of the western rivers earlier given to Pakistan under the treaty. An official statement quoting Mann said the Centre should now divert Chenab's waters to Indian dams like Ranjit Sagar, Pong, or Bhakra, adding that to carry this extra water, new canals and infrastructure would be required, which would be built in Punjab. Mann said these canals and infrastructure can be first used to meet the needs of the state, and after Punjab's requirements are met, the water can be supplied to Haryana and Rajasthan through the same canal system. He said using Chenab water will reduce Punjab's dependence on groundwater, revive surface irrigation and support the farming community, which is the backbone of the state's economy, besides saving groundwater of the state for future generations. Punjab, which is currently facing groundwater depletion, must be prioritised in any future strategies for the usage, diversion, or allocation of these river waters, he said. Mann also said the waters of the western rivers should be allocated to Punjab on a priority basis, adding that new storage dams upstream of existing Bhakra and Pong in Himachal Pradesh should be constructed, which will significantly enhance the storage and regulation of western river waters. Seeking the shelving of the SYL project, Mann unequivocally said that the Sharda-Yamuna Link for transfer of surplus Sharda River water to the Yamuna River and diversion of Chenab water to Beas River through the Rohtang tunnel should be done to eliminate the need for the SYL canal. He said the long-conceived project of Sharda-Yamuna Link should be taken up on priority and surplus water be transferred to the Yamuna River at a suitable location. Mann said the additional water available could offset the balance water requirement of Haryana from the Ravi-Beas system, apart from addressing the ever-growing drinking water requirement of Delhi and the availability of the Yamuna water to Rajasthan. Batting for the Yamuna-Sutlej Link (YSL) canal, he said that the memorandum of understanding of May 12, 1994, of allocation of Yamuna waters between Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan is to be reviewed after 2025. Therefore, Punjab should be included as a partner state in the allocation of Yamuna waters, and 60 per cent of the surplus water of the Yamuna River should be considered for the state, he said. Haryana has enough scope to get additional water from other sources, which also needs to be accounted for, said Mann. He said that Haryana is also receiving 2.703 million acre-feet (MAF) of water from the Ghaggar River, Tangri Nadi, Markanda River, Saraswati Nadi, Chautang-Rakshi, Nai Nalah, Sahibi Nadi, Krishna Dhuan, and Landoha Nalah, which has not been accounted for so far when deciding the water allocations between the states. Mann reiterated that the SYL canal is an 'emotive issue" for Punjab and its construction could trigger 'serious" law and order challenges in the state and escalate into a national crisis, with neighbouring Haryana and Rajasthan also feeling the impact. The total water requirement of Punjab is 52 MAF, and water available with the state of Punjab is only 26.75 MAF (surface water from three rivers, 12.46 MAF, and groundwater 14.29 MAF), said Mann. Talking to reporters in the national capital after the meeting, Saini said a significant step forward was made on the ongoing dialogue over water-sharing between Haryana and Punjab. The talks were held in a cordial and cooperative atmosphere. The issue has been under discussion for a long time, and earlier deliberations held on July 9 had already indicated a positive shift, he said. top videos View all This time, we have moved a step further. The discussions were held in an even more constructive environment, Saini added. Saini asserted that Haryana will present its case in a 'positive and solution-oriented" manner before the Supreme Court on August 13 and expressed confidence that a fair and favourable resolution will be achieved. PTI CHS SUN VSD RHL First Published: August 06, 2025, 00:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
370 abrogation anniversary: ‘New J&K' for LG, ‘Black Day' for others
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: The sixth anniversary of Article 370's abrogation drew contrasting responses Tuesday with J&K lieutenant-governor Manoj Sinha asserting the move heralded the 'birth of a new Jammu and Kashmir' and most parties, barring BJP, protesting the 'Black Day'. 'On Aug 5, 2019, dismantling of the terror ecosystem began. The new J&K is one where tears are not shed on deaths of terrorists but tears of common Kashmiris are wiped away,' Sinha said at Srinagar's Sheri Kashmir Convention Centre, handing over 158 job letters to kin of civilians killed by terrorists over the years. The Centre-appointed LG painted a picture of robust security and responsive administration after the abrogation of J&K's special status and statehood as well as the region's conversion into a Union Territory, saying the long wait for justice and healing was over for families of terror victims. 'They (job recipients) have come out to reveal the role of Pakistani terrorists and the terror ecosystem in J&K.' Barely 10km from the convention centre where Sinha spoke, the mood was not as bright as the governing National Conference (NC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) decried the abrogation. While the two parties were not permitted to hold public marches, both held protests in their offices. 'This day is a Black Day for us. There should be a restoration of statehood and democratic rights. Even BJP knows it was not a good decision and that's the reason they keep us locked up on this day,' senior NC functionary Salman Sagar said. PDP president and former CM Mehbooba Mufti, also barred from leading a march, echoed the 'Black Day' condemnation. 'J&K has been turned into a laboratory. They subverted the Constitution here and later started similar experiments in other states. You are now seeing the SIR (voter roll revision) exercise in Bihar. I want to tell the people of India their situation could become worse than ours. No one will come to their aid, just like no one is helping us,' Mehbooba said. Peoples Conference chief and MLA Sajad Gani Lone described 'Aug 5 as a brutal reminder of undermining of democracy, an ugly example of selective targeting'. In Jammu, NC, PDP and Congress workers hit the streets. Congress leaders garlanded a statue of the last J&K Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh. Party workers sported black ribbons and raised slogans against the Centre and BJP for delay in restoration of statehood. 'Today's protest is part of our intensified campaign to seek restoration of pride and glory of this historic Dogra state, which was destroyed by BJP on Aug 5, 2019,' J&K Congress working president Raman Bhalla said. Chief party spokesperson Ravinder Sharma accused BJP of undermining the elected NC govt and running the administration through LG Sinha as 'remote control' . If the opposition staged demonstrations, BJP organised celebrations, hailing Aug 5 as a day of 'collective achievement'. J&K BJP chief Sat Sharma told a gathering in Jammu's Akhnoor the abrogation had brought constitutional unity and equal rights. 'This day led to the welfare of neglected and oppressed communities of J&K,' Sharma said.
